Le-Dorat

Visit Le-Dorat, Limousin

Le-Dorat is found in the north-west corner of the Haute-Vienne department, a little to the north of Bellac and about 40 kilometres north of Limoges. Although it is only a small town there is much of interest to visitors, most notably the collegiale church of Saint-Pierre.

Exploring Le Dorat

The small town of Le-Dorat is partly surrounded by a part of its original 15th century defensive walls and attractive gardens in terraces next to the walls.

Enter the town through the Porte Bergere - a substantial gateway between two towers to the west of the town that is thought to be named after the shepherds (bergers) who once used this gate to enter the town. Originally there were four grand entrances through the fortified walls of le Dorat but of these only the Porte Bergere now remains.

Once through the gate and inside the walls you will find some attrractive streets of medieval houses to explore, many dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, and some rather grand houses from the same period. These are found particularly in the Place Saint-Jean and surrounding streets (Grand Rue, Rue Saint-Michel, Rue Raymond Chameaux ). The most important is in Rue Saint-Michel and called the Hotel de la Pouge

Collegiale Saint-Pierre-de-Dorat

Above all it is for the Collegiale Saint-Pierre church that people visit Le Dorat. Constructed originally in the 12th century the church was fortified in the 15th century in part by the addition of the square tower (when the town ramparts were constructed).

One of the finest churches in the region, it features an octagonal belltower on three levels (the golden angel on the arrow on top of the tower dates from the 13th century), a shorter square tower, and several other features of interest including the stone entrance doorway, influenced by arab architectural styles, and an 11th century crypt.

Inside the church take a look at the substantial granite baptism font (which dates from a time when full body baptisms took place), the stained glass windows and the altar in the crypt.

Nearby

If you enjoy visiting religious monuments you should also visit the Church of Notre-Dame with its crypt and frescoes and the other medieval monuments at  Montmorillon to the north-west of Le Dorat.

See Limousin and Haute-Vienne (the region and department for Le-Dorat) for more travel ideas...

Suggested places to visit near Le-Dorat, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Oradour-sur-Glane 32km; Brigueuil 34km; Saint-Benoit-du-Sault 34km; Saint-Germain-de-Confolens 36km; Confolens 39km; Limoges 45km; Aixe-sur-Vienne 47km; Rochechouart 48km;

Le-Dorat tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Montmorillon - town of art and history (28km) : Eglise de Notre-Dame (Montmorillon) - religious monument (29km) : Abbatiale de Saint Pierre (Lesterps) - religious monument (33km) : Abbaye de Saint-Amand (Saint-Junien) - religious monument (39km) : Abbaye de la Réau (Saint-Martin-l'Ars) - religious monument (41km) : Eglise de Saint Gervais et Saint Protais (Civaux) - religious monument (41km) : Abbaye de Saint Savin sur Gartempe (Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe) - religious monument (42km) : Eglise d'Usson de Poitou (Usson-du-Poitou) - religious monument (43km) :

See more places and a map at places near Le-Dorat